Illinois Travels to Auburn for War Eagle Classic

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois softball (0-5, 0-0 Big Ten) travels to the War Eagle Classic in Auburn, Alabama, Feb. 12-14. The Orange and Blue will face Auburn, Binghamton, Campbell, and Bradley, during the tournament. Illinois' game against Auburn will stream on SEC Network+.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT

All eight new Illini saw action at the Tiger Classic, including Skylar Brennan, who started four games in left field and one as designated player. Brennan owns the best batting average on the team at .462, and is tied with Caryl for the most hits, at six. Western Michigan transfer Micaela Booth registered three starts at first base, maintaining a perfect fielding percentage.

In the circle, newcomer Abby Sabalaskey logged a trio of outings, including her first collegiate start against NC State on February 7. Against the Wolfpack, the lefty hurled five innings, notching her first career strikeout. Amanda Smith also made her first appearance for the Orange and Blue against NC State, pitching 0.2 innings and striking out one batter. 

MARATHON MATCHUP

 Caryl's six at-bats against Lamar on February 6 match the second-most in a game in program history. A player has reached six at-bats 19 times, with Megan Ward the last to do so on April 3, 2022.

Pitcher Karley Yergler also saw a strong outing in the 11-inning battle, throwing 10.1 innings, her second time throwing double-digit innings at Illinois. Her seven strikeouts are the most by any Illini in a game this season, and an Illinois-high for the senior. 

DOUBLE TROUBLE

Five Illini have recorded at least one double this season, including two each for Adisyn Caryl and Ellie Haggard. Caryl was tied alongside Stevie Meade for first on the squad in 2025, with 11 doubles. Haggard recorded one double in 2025.

OPPONENT SCOUT

Auburn enters its home debut receiving votes in both the NFCA and USA Softball polls, after a 4-2 weekend that featured wins over Notre Dame, Big Ten opponents Michigan State and Penn State, and an upset over No. 9 Clemson. Freshman Haven Roebuck saw a standout weekend, posting a .450 average, nine hits, and eight RBI, earning Sports Illustrated Co-Freshman of the Week, alongside Michigan State's Zoie Bernard.

Campbell remains undefeated on the young season, including a trio of five-inning victories over Florida A&M (twice) and Tennessee Tech. Pitcher Katelyn Hubley recorded a 2.10 ERA in ten innings of work, also adding eight strikeouts. Charlie Montgomery leads the offense, with a .643 batting average, notching six runs and nine hits over opening weekend.

Binghamton tallied one win against Syracuse in its first five games, dropping a pair to No. 19 Virginia Tech and also falling to No. 12 South Carolina. The Bearcats return six all-conference selections from a 2025 squad that reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. 

Bradley is 2-3 through weekend one, adding two victories over Prairie View A&M, logging 16 runs in both contests. Morgan Schlosser is the best of the Braves at the plate, owning a .611 average, 1.167 slugging percentage, and a pair of home runs.

SERIES HISTORY

The Illini are:

• 1-2 all-time against Auburn 
  • Last meeting: 2/12/23 vs. #21 Auburn in Clearwater, Fla. (L, 10-0 in 5 inn.)
• 0-1 all-time against Campbell
  • First meeting: 3/15/02 in Rock Hill, S.C. (L, 1-0)
• 1-0 all-time against Binghamton
  • First meeting: 2/15/15 in Tampa, Fla. (W, 15-2 in 5 inn.)
• 13-3 all-time against Bradley
  • Last meeting: 3/22/23 at Eichelberger Field (W, 5-1)

MILESTONE MARKS

Head coach Tyra Perry is just five victories away from 700 wins for her career as a head coach. Only 35 other active D1 coaches (out of 306) have achieved the milestone.

Perry is also just 14 wins away from 300 wins at the helm of the Illinois program, which she could achieve as early as February 28.